RIP Hugo Kenney

Hugo came from the Pioneer Kennel. I got him as a puppy in November 2000 — hence his AKC registration name: Pioneer Millennium Baby Hugo. He was an outstanding dog in every way, especially his gentle temperament. All of eleven years old he was getting old for a Black Labrador, but I'd hoped he might live another couple years. It was not to be. He'd had trouble for the past month defecating. After he'd completely stopped for two days I gave up fiddling with his diet and yesterday took him to the animal hospital. Today, for the first time, he had trouble urinating, so the hospital took some x-rays, which showed several rather large and evidently fast growing cancers, under his backbone and above his colon (very much constricting it, which had caused the constipation), on his spleen, and elsewhere. The choice was massive surgical intervention plus chemotherapy or to put him to sleep. I chose the latter. Of course I was with him during the procedure, as was Sharon. She said a prayer, he seemed calm, and it was over quickly. He was much beloved and is ever so greatly missed.